Genesis 18:16-21: a reflection

16The men rose up from there, and looked toward Sodom. Abraham went with them to see them on their way. 17The LORD said, “Will I hide from Abraham what I do, 18since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed in him? 19For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice; to the end that the LORD may bring on Abraham that which he has spoken of him.” 20The LORD said, “Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous, 21I will go down now, and see whether their deeds are as bad as the reports which have come to me. If not, I will know.”

As the visitors turn toward Sodom, the Lord pauses and asks a remarkable question: shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? God chooses to take Abraham into his confidence, treating him almost as a friend. And the reason he gives is striking: he has chosen Abraham so that he will teach his children and household to keep the way of the Lord, doing righteousness and justice. God's friendship with Abraham is bound up with a call to pass on a life of righteousness.

There is also a window here into how God deals with wrongdoing. The outcry against Sodom's sin is great, and God says, I will go down and see. This is not because God lacks knowledge, but the language emphasizes that his judgment is never careless or hasty; it is careful, deliberate, just. God does not condemn on rumor or act rashly. Even in dealing with grievous evil, he is portrayed as thorough and fair, going down to see for himself.

Two things to carry from this. First, God draws his people into his confidence and calls them, as he called Abraham, to pass on righteousness and justice to those who come after them. Consider what way of life you are teaching those around you, by your example. Second, take comfort that God's judgments are never careless; he sees fully and judges justly. The God who is a careful, righteous judge is the same God who invites you into friendship and calls you to walk in his ways.

Lord, you took Abraham into your confidence and called him to teach his household your way of righteousness and justice. Help me to pass on your ways to those who come after me, by how I live. And thank you that your judgments are never careless but always just. Draw me into friendship with you, and let me walk in the righteousness you love. Amen.